Don’t Allow Yourself To Be Deceived By Anyone

BIBLE STUDY #794 CHURCH IN THE HOUSES TUESDAY, DECEMBER 10 -16, 2013

Topic: Don’t Allow Yourself To Be Deceived By Anyone” Colossians 2:1-10 It was the apostle’s interest for the Colossians to know the great struggle he had for them so they would not be deceived. His work was to continuously fight for them. His conflict was an agony; his prayer was fervent and anxious. His conflict wasn’t exactly with the false teachers, what had been impossible to struggle now face to face well now Paul was in prison, but rather it was for them, for the Colossian brothers, he was far and it was impossible for him to see them. He was in great struggle for those who had not seen his face. The apostle had great concerns within himself; it was a spiritual confrontation, a combat. That combat led him to agony, for him it was almost like death. That is why he made an effort, diligent in his struggle, in a conflict with God through continuous prayer and passionate, compensating in his prayer to God the lack of his corporal presence among them. There was a need for them to be comforted in their hearts. The apostle wanted to give them animosity, support and comfort so they would be strong in the difficulties that surrounded them. The matter was to arrive at the point of worrying for those who did not know him, well those new believers were taught by the other brothers; but his concern was that they would also learn to be mature in the Lord. THE MATURE ARE NOT DECIEVED BY ANYONE! One example to not be deceived is for example the tithes (Matthew 23:23). This is a clear detail with respect to obedience. Tithing is one of the minor duties, but what is great is the justice, the mercy and the faith. My son Dan was with Tato who is one of our musicians; they were buying some wood and there was a man who was rebellious towards the gospel who only looks at men and not God. That is why he lives in rebellion and speaks against what we as faithful believers do out of love and obedience. Dan arrived at our home to ask me about the bitter words of that man; when one is tender like Dan is, one worries about what is heard. For that reason Paul desired that the brothers would be strong and firm in the faith. The brothers who were absent from Paul’s presence would be comforted when finding out the “dispute” he had on their behalf and how much he was interested in their well-being. It was a hard battle in fervent prayer to God for them. This was all so they would be comforted, consoled and encouraged. It happened, just as nowadays, there were many phonies in the city of Colossian who no longer believed and they taught what they pleased. Paul wanted the brothers to be confirmed and fortified in faith; that was his great concern. He wanted them to be united in love among them, well, how complicated it is for the persons to be united in love! If the saints remain in joyful and loving communion with each other, they will be firm against the enemy’s attacks. Colossians 2:2 “…united in love, so that they may have the full riches of complete understanding…” The more one seeks to comprehend the Christian faith, the more convinced they will be of its veracity. The more firm we are in the faith, there will be less danger of being misled by the false teachings! The mystery of God and Christ has to be known, to acknowledge the truth of the Church, acknowledge Christ as the Head of the body and all the believers as members of the body. CHRIST AS THE HEAD OF THE CHURCH (Colossians 2:10). When one recognizes this, then we are very careful about how we move and act in the body of Christ, because Christ is the Head! The teachings to those of Colossian was that if they as believers acknowledged this truth then they would be conscious of the greatness of their Head, King and Lord Jesus Christ. This way they wouldn’t be dragged by the deceivers or anyone else who would threaten them. All opposition, the false teachers who are possessed by demons, cannot lacerate those who have received the riches of the glory of this mystery among the gentiles, which is Christ in us, the hope of glory! “…To them God has chosen to make known among the Gentiles the glorious riches of this mystery, which is Christ in you, the hope of glory.” (Colossians 1:27) All the treasures of wisdom and of knowledge are hidden in Christ (Vs. 3). The charlatans and the fussy bragged about having much understanding, but their understanding is empty of the truth that is found in the pages of the divine revelation. Then, Paul says that all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge are hidden in Christ, the Head. So the believers have no reason to go beyond what’s written in the Scriptures. The treasures of Christ are hidden for those who are on the side of incredulity and inclusive, in order to enter in them the believer is to acknowledge Christ intimately. All knowledge is found in Christ. He is the incarnation of the truth. He said: “I am the way and the truth and the life.” (John 14:6) Nothing that is certain will never enter in conflict with His words or with His deeds. The difference between knowledge and wisdom has been explained many times in the following manner. Knowledge is the comprehension of the truth while wisdom is the capacity to apply what has been learned. Due to the fact that all wisdom and all knowledge are in Christ, we should not allow ourselves to be deceived by any deceptive reasoning from the false and deceivers. If someone does not have the truth, then they try to find a group of followers through the astute presentation of their message. This is precisely what the heretics always do, they argue based on probabilities and edify a learning system about their opinion according to what they have inside of them. Otherwise, if we preach or acknowledge God’s truths, we do not need to depend on things such as eloquence or intelligent arguments. The truth is the proper and greater argument, and like a lion it will defend itself. How wonderful is our God! Amen.